Are you looking to move between Virginia to North Carolina and want to save money on moving costs? One of the worst issues with moving is logistics. Not only do you need to pack your items securely so that they don’t get damaged or lost, but you also need to arrange travel and shipping.
You’ll find that interstate travel can be seamless and straightforward if you know the right steps. Read on for our easy moving tips on how to move from Virginia to North Carolina the smart way!
Plan Your Move
One of the easiest mistakes you can make is to start frantically packing without a plan. Not only will you start to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of items and furniture that you need to pack, but you may be caught off-guard by the costs.
On an app or an old-fashioned piece of paper, write down the date of when you’d like to move into your new home. You can also include dates such as when to turn on the electricity, set up the Internet, and more.
After you write out your plan, be sure to stick with it as best you can! If you’ve never moved across state lines, it’s common to misjudge the amount of time and effort it takes. However, having guidelines in place will keep you grounded.
Start Ahead Of Time
It’s important to start packing earlier than you think you need to. This will help give you an idea of your energy levels and whether you need extra, professional help with the move, such as with a home gym. Two or three months ahead of time, you can start packing unnecessary items such as seasonal clothing, recreational gear, or disassembling unused furniture.
This is also a great time to start selling, donating, or throwing away items that you no longer need. The less you need to move, the easier it will be!
Create A Labeling System
As you pack, it’s important to have a good labeling system in place. Although a labeling system may seem unnecessary, it will greatly help your peace of mind and keep things organized. Come up with a labeling system that makes sense for you, such as labeling boxes of everything that needs to go in your kitchen with “Kitchen.”
If you have a large collection of items such as throw pillows or books, these can have their own labels. When you’re done with the move, this will help you find items without needing to tear open every box.
If you’re hiring professional movers, this can also give them an indication of where to place boxes in your new home.
Use What You Have
Remember that you most likely have luggage, plastic bins, and old boxes that can be used for your move as well. Separate these from all of the other items that you need to move, so you remember to use them. Instead of spending more on packing peanuts or bubble wrap, you can use old items of clothing that you’d like to take with you.
You can also use old newspapers, magazine pages, or other kinds of paper you have lying around the house. When you get to your new home, they’ll be recycled, saving you money and cleaning up clutter at the same time.
Tape Electronics
Electronics can be the trickiest items to move because they’re delicate and also come with cables, cords, and other small accessories. We recommend that you take photos of how your electronics are plugged in before unplugging them so that there’s no confusion later on.
You can also collect all the cords and cables, wrap them up, stick them in a plastic bag, then tape them to the device so that they don’t get lost.
Find A Moving Company
Unless you have a large truck at your disposal, you’ll most likely want to hire a moving company. You may want a moving company to help you pack everything. However, if your budget is tight, hiring a company just to pack your items on a truck and take them to your new home is also possible.
When you’re looking for moving companies, it’s important that you find one that has:
- Experienced history
- Good reviews and testimonials
- Online quotes
- An easy to navigate website
- Guides to help customers move efficiently
Pay attention to the way the company responds when you first inquire about their moving services. Are they prompt, courteous, and professional? Do you feel as if you could trust them with your personal belongings? Doing some research beforehand will help your move become the seamless experience you’re striving for.
Establishing Residence
Once you’ve moved to North Carolina, you’ll have 60 days to obtain a driver’s license with N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles. According to the North Carolina DMV, you’ll need:
- Out-of-state license or document with identity and date of birth
- Social security card
- Document verifying new North Carolina address
- Document proving legal presence if you’re not born in the U.S.
- Document proving liability insurance coverage
You’ll also need to register your vehicle within 30 days of moving to North Carolina. At this point, you’ll also want to look into getting new pet licenses, registering your children for school, and registering to vote.
Moving From Virginia To North Carolina The Easy Way
Moving from Virginia to North Carolina didn’t have to be the complicated, stressful process it first seems to be. All it takes is knowing the dates you need to move and planning ahead of time.
Hiring a moving company to help pack or with large furniture items can also lessen the amount of stress. If you have a good labeling system in place, your moving company can help place boxes where they belong.
Ready to begin your move? Carmack Moving & Storage prioritizes making long-distance moving as stress-free as possible. Request a custom quote with us today!
